I started as a short filmmaker and found that one of the toughest challenges was getting your film to be watched. I would enter it in competitions and release it online, but getting a mainstream theatre-going audience to view the film is difficult.
Ever since I made the short film 'Black And White,' which had almost no dialogues, the idea of making a silent feature film fascinated me.
The core plot of 'Mercury' is so gripping that when I thought of making it as a silent film, it only made it more interesting. Once I finished writing the first draft, making a silent film that's both thrilling and engaging seemed possible. When the film team read the final script, they felt the same.
In a silent film, the visuals are of utmost importance.
When I made 'Pizza,' all I had in my mind was to make the film reach as many people as possible.
I made a lot of short films before making a feature film. Actually, I learnt film-making by making short films.
For any actor, voice is his strength.
While working in Bangalore, I was making short films.
My father has been a part of a few short films I made; he played a small but significant role in 'Jigarthanda.'
I start writing with an open mind without thinking about genre and realise, only after writing, that it falls under many genres.
Besides being one of the most ambitious projects I have worked on, 'Mercury' has also helped me enhance my skills as a director.
I did a lot of short films before doing feature films.
My parents have let me do whatever I am interested in. Initially, they were apprehensive, but when they realised that filmmaking was my passion and that I was doing a good job with the short films and the recognition in 'Naalaya Iyakkunar' TV show, they supported and encouraged me.
After doing two feature films, I got an idea for a thriller film and felt this could be made without any dialogues.
If a star film does not have a good story, it will not run. This will make stars choose good scripts consciously.
Usually, I write my scripts first, then think of the actors, or I have a reference of someone.
Vijay Sethupati has been a part of almost all my films. He trusts me blindly, and I feel the same trust in his abilities each time.
When I was making short films, I didn't see a way to give them a wider reach or earn revenue out of it.
We considered a few Bollywood actors as well for the villain role in 'Jigarthanda,' but we finally zeroed in on Simha because we felt he would be the most unexpected person to play it. Had we cast someone popular, then it would have become predictable.
If one makes a short film with reasonable technical finesse, it will cost between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. one lakh. That's a lot of money for someone starting off.
